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COPYRIGHT 2001 Newsweek, Inc. All rights reserved. Any reuse, distribution or alteration without express written permission of Newsweek is prohibited. For permission: www.newsweek.com
HELP WANTED The Search for an FBI 'Mr. Fix-It'
Despite White House hopes that he would stay longer, NEWSWEEK has learned outgoing FBI Director Louis Freeh has set a firm departure date: June 19. But so far, the White House hasn't settled on a successor, and some aides are not satisfied they've conducted a thorough enough search. The two leading contenders for the job are Robert Mueller, U.S. attorney in San Francisco, and George Terwilliger, deputy attorney general under Bush Sr. A top White House aide says Sterling Johnson, a federal judge and former N.Y. special prosecutor, is also in the running. But some Bush officials worry that none of the candidates have the public stature or proven management skills needed in light of recent bureau foul-ups. "There's a feeling we need a Mr. Fix-it," said one official.
Most insiders believe Mueller has the edge, largely because Attorney General John Ashcroft--whose recommendation likely carries considerable weight--seems to like him. Mueller served as acting deputy during his first few months in office and has the A.G.'s confidence. Another plus: Mueller was named chief federal prosecutor in San Francisco by Bill Clinton with the backing of the state's two Democratic senators, making confirmation problems less likely in the new Democrat-controlled Senate. "They're definitely looking for somebody who can sail through," said one official familiar with the search.
Terwilliger has his supporters, too, especially among White House political aides who remember his yeoman service for the Bush cause last fall. The day after the election Terwilliger flew to Tallahassee, Fla., and...
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